Tale tops must-see listings

Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, co-directed by Ulsterman Kenneth Brannagh, is one in a list of exciting events in Northern Ireland this month.

The NI Tourist Board’s recommendations also include Flash Harry in concert, and the Blame Game’s Neil Delamere on stage.

· Kenneth Branagh Theatre - The Winter’s Tale (Encore Screening), Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey, January 7. Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is re-imagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan. Judi Dench plays Paulina and Kenneth Branagh Leontes. Begins 7.45pm.

· Out To Lunch Festival 2016, Various locations, Belfast, January 8–31. A mouth-watering menu of live music, comedy, spoken word, literature and theatre (and food) will be served up during the lunchtimes and evenings of January to sustain fun lovers and festival goers in the dreaded post-holiday lull.

· Flash Harry - The Magic Of Queen, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, January 9. Enjoy a night of good old fashioned rock. Doors open 7pm.

· Newcastle Junior Glees Present: Beauty And The Beast, Annesley Hall, Newcastle, Co. Down, January 1-9. This production features local children and young people from age 9 to 18.

·Emily Barker & Ciaran Lavery, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady,, January 9. Emily and Ciaran will perform solo sets and selected duets in our intimate auditorium in one of a handful of special concerts in Northern Ireland this January.

· CTRL+ALT+DELAMERE, The Market Place Theatre, Market Street, Armagh, January 9 and 10.

Following two sold-out shows last year comedian Neil Delamere returns to The Market Place with a brand new show brimming with hilarious stories and incisive wit.

Show begins 8pm.

· An evening of Traditional Music with Donal O’Connor, Paul McSherry and Sean Og Graham, Ranfurly House, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, January 9. Enjoy an evening of traditional music this January. This creative and compelling trio will take you on an emotive and uplifting musical journey, from Ireland to the neighbouring Celtic regions.

· Big Houses: Hidden Gems of the Causeway Coast, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Main Street, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, until January 30. Enjoy an exhibition that gives visitors the opportunity to view period images of the houses that are hidden gems of the Causeway Coast.